Smilax rotundifolia L.
Common greenbrier
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Liliopsida Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass Liliidae Includes lilies, orchids, and many others
Order Liliales Includes lilies, tulips, trilliums, greenbriars, and others
Family Smilacaceae Greenbriar family
Genus Smilax Greek for “clasping”
Species rotundifolia “With rounded leaves”
About plant names...
Common greenbrier is a widespread North American native plant. (A brier is a thicket
of thorny plants.)
Identification: This woody, thorned vine reaches 10-20′ (3-6.1 m)
in length, clambering over other plants, attaching itself with tendrils as it goes. It is deciduous, but may
retain its leaves until late in the winter in the south. Stems are somewhat diamond-shaped in
cross-section, with sharp thorns up to ¼″ (8 mm) long. Leaves are glossy and leathery, with several fairly
prominent veins running from the base to the tip of the leaf, round or oval in shape. Flowers are yellowish-green,
about ¼″ (6.3 mm) around. Fruits are clusters
of blue berries with whitish coatings, about ¼″ (6.3 mm) in diameter. The berries can persist through
much of the winter.
Online References:
Southeastern Flora, the Southeastern U.S. Plant Identification Resource
The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database
Www.carolinanature.com
The Island Creek Elementary School's Study of Northern Virginia Ecology
The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
EFloras
In late winter. · 3/2/2011 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Arizona · ≈ 3½ × 2½″ (9.8 × 6.6 cm)
6/10/2018 · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)
10/5/2010 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Maryland · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)
6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Maryland
7/11/2012 · Jeff Smith Trail, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)
6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Maryland
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)
In late winter. · 3/2/2011 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Arizona · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm)
Older scientific or horticultural names
Smilax rotundifolia L. var. crenulata Small & A. Heller
Smilax rotundifolia L. var. quadrangularis (Muhl. ex Willd.) Alph. Wood
Smilax rotundifolia description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 19 Aug 2023.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
6/17/2018
2/14/2012 · Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)
The orange tentrils are invading dodder. · 9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)
6/10/2018 · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)
5/26/2018 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)
7/11/2012 · Jeff Smith Trail, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
6/17/2018
Range:
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